Welcome to Birdland Journal’s first issue of 2016! This online journal celebrates the diverse voices from Laguna Writers, Birdland Retreats and workshops. This year, we’re working with themes for each issue. For this one, our theme is creatures. Meet a diamond dog, and … Continue reading →

Okay, Crazy Lady, okay Crazy Lady. Attack! I will eat your leg! Arrrgghhh! Wait! What’s that? Someone in the bathroom? The kitty room? Someone using my litterbox? Huh? Coming in now, paw here, door open. Hello? What’s this guy doing?

I awoke to find I was in a cell with other prisoners, all of us bound, lightly floating, unable to direct our movements, unable to inflict pain. There were six of us, all old and fat behind the carapace. A … Continue reading →

Did you see the 1984 movie, The Never Ending Story? I am the star, or rather I am named after the star, Falkor. My masters call me Falkie.

He was close enough I could see his armature, his chest like finely layered lace,

I admit that my first instinct is to kill an insect, any insect, when the sight of its tiny black body appears in my line of vision. Though I have taken several vows “not to kill”

I’m doing that thing. That thing I’m good at. Acting like I don’t care. When, in actual fact, if I’m being honest, it’s all I can think about. Oh my God. I’m so excited. Birds in the trees, birds on the … Continue reading →

For many years I managed the front office of our veterinary hospital, Animal Eye Specialists. We had the good fortune of meeting and treating many amazing pets and pet owners. This is a selection from my collection of short stories … Continue reading →

Keiko looked down at her bland breakfast of white toast and milk tea. The other ladies at the table had all ordered lightly, so she followed suit as she always did. But what she really wanted was the greasy breakfast … Continue reading →

From “The Favourite,” a historical novel in progress. “The art of number cannot count the hours / Thou hast been absent.” —Dekker & Middleton (?), The Family of Love, 1608 Royston, Hertfordshire, April 1623 A thick mist hazed their vision, … Continue reading →